Open AccessAirway Clearance with Expiratory Flow Accelerator Technology: Effectiveness of the “Free Aspire” Device in Patients with Severe COPD
Author(s) -
Giorgia Patrizio,
Michele D’Andria,
Francesco D’Abrosca,
Antonella Cabiaglia,
Fabio Tanzi,
Giancarlo Garuti,
Antonello Nicolini
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
turkish thoracic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 7
ISSN - 2149-2530
DOI - 10.5152/turkthoracj.2018.18053
Subject(s) - medicine , copd , pulmonary rehabilitation , pulmonary function testing , airway , quality of life (healthcare) , positive airway pressure , obstructive lung disease , cardiology , anesthesia , physical therapy , nursing , obstructive sleep apnea
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a higher risk of pulmonary infections. This risk not only negatively affects patients' quality of life but also increases social and health costs. Hence, there is a need for an effective rehabilitative treatment including airway clearance. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new tool for bronchial clearance based on expiratory flow accelerator (EFA) technology compared with positive expiratory pressure (PEP) treatment.